OpenAI’s Ambitions Just Became Crystal Clear
AtlanticMAY 22
OpenAI Acquires iPhone Designer's Startup in $6.5B Deal
Above: Jony Ive presents the Fashion Icon award during The Fashion Awards 2019 held at Royal Albert Hall on December 2, 2019. Image copyright: John Phillips/Contributor/BFC/Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
This could be a groundbreaking partnership, combining OpenAI's cutting-edge AI capabilities with Ive's legendary design expertise. But OpenAI must succeed where other companies have failed, while also competing with other companies that are integrating their AI into devices. It remains to be seen whether this will be a success.
Narrative B
Ive's return to the computer industry for a company other than Apple should put the tech giant on notice. Even its own employees have conceded that AI assistants could make phones obsolete, yet Apple's main focus remains the iPhone. If Apple doesn't up its game, OpenAI and other similar companies could leave it in the dust.
Metaculus Prediction
There's a 60% chance that OpenAI will report an AI system as having a pre-mitigation score of "high" or "higher" on model autonomy by Dec. 31, 2025, according to the Metaculus prediction community.